Crafting With Cathy And Kathy: DIY Solar Powered Lanterns For Independence Day [VIDEO]

Our next crafting project was chosen because of the upcoming Independence Day holiday. Technically, it's DIY Lanterns and we are using solar powered tops, but you can also put a battery operated tealight in it or if you don't put the top on you could use a candle. If you use red, white and blue glitter like we did, it's perfect for the upcoming 4th of July holiday. Make it a family crafting project!

Materials You Need:

Mod Podge (and small sponge brushes)

red, white and blue glitter (fine)

mason style jar (suggested wide mouth)

contact paper

star cardboard template (we used a cereal box)

scissors

solar powered covers, batter operated tea lights or tea candles

Make It:

After cutting your star template from your cardboard (our cereal box), trace to contact paper and cut. Remove the backing from the contact paper stars and adhere to the inside of the mason jar (that's why a wide mouth is best) making sure to remove all bubbles. Using the sponge brush, brush Mod Podge inside the jar. There is no need to cover the stars completely, in fact be sparing around the edges so it doesn't seep under the edges of the star. You also don't need any Mod Podge on the inside bottom of the jar.

Sprinkle a fair amount of glitter into the jar and shake to coat the inside of jar completely. Let jars dry at least 4 hours, overnight would be best. Remove your contact paper stars after the glue has dried with tweezers. It should be clear where the star was and provide the area that will be illuminated. Enjoy!